have eyes in the back of one's head
Meaning: To notice everything, even what happens behind one's back.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Don't try passing notes in Mrs. Okafor's class; she has eyes in the back of her head.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Old in idea: the Roman playwright Plautus, in Aulularia, has a character with eyes even in the back of her head. In English, the comedy Gammer Gurton's Needle (around 1565) says of someone that she "hath an eie behind her."
Equivalents in other languages
- French: ne pas garder les yeux dans sa poche — literally: to not keep the eyes in one's pocket
More idioms — Body & Senses
- not believe one's ears — To be so surprised by what one hears that it seems impossible.
- dead on one's feet — To be utterly exhausted.
- fall flat on one's face — To fail completely and embarrassingly.
- one's blood runs cold — To be filled with sudden fear or horror.
- poke one's nose into — To pry or interfere in matters that do not concern one.
- rot one's brain — To dull one's mind through mindless activity.
More English idioms
- watch one's step — To be careful how one behaves, to avoid trouble.
- have a lot on one's plate — To have many tasks or problems to deal with.
- mend fences — To repair a damaged relationship after a disagreement.
- play one's last card — To make a final attempt, using the last resource one has.
- people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones — One should not criticize others for faults one has oneself.
- take potshots at — To criticize someone in a casual, unfair or opportunistic way.